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Membership Requirements | NINC

Let’s give you the short version first:

You’ve published at least two novels—each of which is at least 30,000 words long, and neither of which is a box set or collection of shorts.
If the novels are traditionally published, you’ve earned at least $2,000 on each title from an advance and/or royalties in any consecutive 12-month period following publication.
If the novels are self-published, you’ve earned at least $5,000 on each title in any consecutive 12-month period following publication.

Does this sound like you? Great! You can apply now.

There’s a non-refundable one-time application fee $15
Apply Now

If you’re not sure or want more detail, read on…

NINC defines a “novel” as a single work of fiction consisting  of at least 30,000 words.
A “box set” or a collection of short stories or other short works, even if they are connected with regard to content, or presented in a single volume or file, does not constitute a novel under this definition. 
The applicant must be responsible for at least 33% of original writing in these two novels and, if a pseudonym is being used, no other writer can have ever contributed more than 67% of any work published under this pseudonym. 
The applicant must provide the Membership Committee with the titles and publication details, such as release date, copyright registration, ISBN, publisher, and/or other relevant information, for each of the qualifying works.
If a pseudonym appears on the copyright page, the applicant may be asked to present proof of pseudonym ownership by sharing the relevant portion of the applicant’s contract, copyright application materials, or other identifying documentation.
In cases of co-authorship, both applicants may use the same qualifying works for their applications.
If requested for verification purposes by the Membership Committee, the applicant will also provide copies of contracts, other documentation as requested, and/or the published works themselves.

For applicants whose two works of novel-length fiction submitted for qualification have been released by “a publishing house” (i.e. traditional publishing)…

For this purpose, “a publishing house” means a business entity that publishes more than ten individual authors, who may not be owners, employees or immediate family members of either, nor be authors using different pseudonyms to be counted to reach that number; has been in business for at least one year; and does not require the author to pay the publisher any fees toward pre-publication or publication costs.
The applicant must show proof of advance payment of no less than $2,000 for each of the qualifying works, or proof that each of the two qualifying works has earned no less than $2,000 in royalties from book sales alone (no subsidiary rights income) in any consecutive 122-month period following publication. It doesn’t have to be the same 12-month period for both books.
This criteria must be met independently for each book.

For applicants whose two works of novel-length fiction submitted for qualification have not been published by any company or any entity other than the individual author acting independently (i.e. self-publishing)…

The author must show proof of earnings from online booksellers of no less than $5,000 from book sales alone (no subsidiary rights income) for each of the two qualifying works in any consecutive 12-month period following publication. It doesn’t have to be the same 12-month period for both books.
This criteria must be met and documented independently for each book.
Amazon sales statements are acceptable, but a specific breakdown of sales per book must be documented.
At the Membership Committee’s discretion, applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation if they wish to continue the application process.

Application timeline & fee

The application process is slow but thorough. It takes 6–8 weeks for an application to be approved. Thanks for your patience! All applications for membership must be submitted with a $15 non-refundable application fee.

Membership dues

If your application is approved, you must pay annual membership dues of $95 USD. You will be sent a link to pay once you are approved.

  • New members who join January 1– June 30 pay the full yearly dues ($95).
  • New members who join July 1–December 31 pay the dues for half the year ($45).
  • If you have any technical difficulties, please contact admin@ninc.com for help.
  • In the event your application is not approved, you will not be charged for dues.
  • If your application is approved but you don’t join NINC, you will not be charged for dues.